Definition of Family Member for Purposes of Family Reunification.

The Refugee Act defines "family members" for the purposes of Family Reunification as follows :

(a) If the refugee is married, his / her spouse (providing that the marriage was subsisting on the date of the application) ;
(b) If the refugee is, on the date of the application, under 18 years of age and not married, his / her parents ;
(c) The child / children of the refugee, who, on the date of the application is under 18 years and unmarried.
(d) The Act also specifies that the Minister may also, at his / her discretion, grant permission to a "dependent family member" of a refugee to enter and reside in the State. "Dependent family member" is defined by the Act as : "any grandparent, parent, brother, sister, child or grandchild, ward or guardian of the refugee, who is dependent upon the refugee, or who is suffering from a mental or physical illness to such an extent that it is not reasonable to maintain himself or herself fully".